Getting to the Sandstone Trail
The Sandstone Trail runs roughly north to south across the lovely — and still essentially rural — county of Cheshire, in northwest England. It's one of the region's best country walks and suitable for all the family.
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| Looking across the Cheshire Plain towards the Welsh hills from Cheshire's Sandstone Trail |
Elevated Sandstone Ridge
The Trail follows the elevated ridge of sandstone hills that rise dramatically above the Cheshire Plain, for 55 kilometres/34 miles across this essentially green county – from Frodsham on the broad Mersey estuary in the north, to Whitchurch in rural north Shropshire, in the south.
Along the way, it passes through numerous small settlements, villages and the occasional market town.
The route is shown on OS maps: as annotated footpaths on the Landranger series, and as a clearly marked long-distance Trail on the larger scale Explorer maps. The Trail may be joined at almost any point along the route.
The Sandstone Trail is easy to reach by car, bus, train or bike and can be walked in either direction.
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| The Sandstone Trail runs roughly north to south across Cheshire |
For a larger map, see here.
Parking
There are plenty of official car parks and other parking places along the Sandstone Trail.
Sandstone Trail car parks include those at:
Beacon Hill, Frodsham; Barnsbridge Gates, on the 'switchback road' in Delamere Forest; Hatchmere picnic area; Linmere picnic area (Forestry Commission); the Vale Royal District Council car park on the Yeld, Kelsall; Gresty's Waste, on the A54 at Kelsall; Willington Corner car park, at the junction of Willington Lane and Chapel Lane, Willington; the English Heritage car park opposite Beeston Castle; Cheshire Workshops car park, at Higher Burwardsley (the front part of the car park only); the National Trust Pool Lane car park, off Goldford Lane, Bickerton; the National Trust car park at Larkton Hill; and the Jubilee Park car park at the bottom of Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. Many of the pubs along the Trail have Sandstone Trail Information Boards and car parking for walkers. But remember that pub car parks are private and walkers should always ask permission before leaving their car.
Trains
There are good rail links to several places along the Sandstone Trail. Relevant stations include Frodsham at the northern end, Delamere roughly in the middle, and Whitchurch at the southern end of the Trail. Both Frodsham and Delamere stations have regular services from Chester and Manchester; while Whitchurch station has regular services from Crewe and Shrewsbury. For train times and passenger information, call the Cheshire Traveline on 0870 608 2608 seven days a week between 8am and 8pm, or email traveline@cheshire.gov.uk.
Buses
Regular bus services connect most of the major towns and villages along the Sandstone Trail. For bus times and passenger information, call or email the Cheshire Traveline.
Or get on your bike?
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